Active Transportation

The implementation of cycling infrastructure is generally included on most corridor reconstruction projects wherever feasible, following recommendations contained in the City's Transportation Master Plan and subsequent completed Municipal Class Environmental Assessments (where applicable). In 2023, the City had several ongoing capital projects that featured cycling infrastructure:

• Bryne Drive South (Harvie Road to Caplan Avenue) 
• Duckworth Street (Bell Farm Road to St. Vincent Street) 
• Grove Street East (Johnson Street to Nelson Street, with eventual continuation to Duckworth)
• Duckworth Street Improvements & Grove Street East Watermain
• McKay Road West and Veteran's Drive Intersection Improvements
• Anne Street Bridge Replacement (MTO Project)

Road right-sizing is the practice of reallocating road space more equitably to all road users with the goal of creating space for bicycle lanes. Road right-sizing involves either removing underutilized travel lanes or narrowing travel lanes and/or the removal of on-street parking to create this space. Road right-sizing is an efficient, economical and environmentally friendly approach to create cycling infrastructure and support equitable access to the City's transportation network. Additionally, road right-sizing has a traffic calming effect which helps to slow traffic.

Image

Image

As of January 2023, the City has implemented 36 kms of cycling infrastructure through road right-sizing.   

In 2022, the City implemented cycling lanes on the following streets through road right-sizing: 

• Bayview Drive – Little Avenue to Burton Avenue  
• Hanmer Street East – Bayfield Street to St. Vincent Street 
• Johnson Street – Shanty Bay Road to Georgian Drive 
• Little Avenue – Fairview Road to Hurst Drive 

As part of the continued planned expansion of the City’s cycling network; cycling lanes are under consideration for the following streets for implementation by 2025 (subject to Council approval): 

• Dunlop Street – Berczy Street to Collier Street 
• Blake Street – Collier Street to Steel Street 
• Grove Street – Bayfield Street to Johnson Street 
• St. Vincent Street – Blake Street to Bell Farm Road

When streets require pavement asset management (or renewal) activities, the City undertakes a review to see if cycling infrastructure can be accommodated within the scope of the specific renewal project. These reviews typically result in the recommendation for the inclusion of road right-sizing (see the preceding section) or, in consideration of in-situ constraints, the provision of paved shoulders where they can be accommodated and in alignment with the City's Transportation Master Plan.

While paved shoulders are not designated cycling facilities, they do provide an incremental improvement over existing conditions and serve as a bridging solution until the City can undertake the full scope of improvements typically identified for these roadways (e.g., reconstruction and widening including urbanization, lighting, sidewalks, separated cycling infrastructure, new above and below ground utilities, etc.).

In 2023, the City identified the following road for inclusion of paved shoulders:

• Big Bay Point Road – East of The Queensway to 20th Sideroad

It is very important that both new and experienced cyclists understand cycling rules and how to cycle safety.  The Ministry of Transportation provides helpful information focused on cycling safety and skills. 

The City presently has 47km of cycling infrastructure consisting of multi-use paths, bicycle lanes and signed routes. The City continues to implement cycling infrastructure on an annual basis following recommendations contained within the Transportation Master Plan.

The City's Active Transportation Map displays Barrie's cycling network. For detailed information on different types of cycling infrastructure please refer to OTM Book 18: Cycling Facilities.

There are many websites and mobile device applications that can help users plan routes and rides. Google Maps is an excellent online resource that will help provide routing on bike-friendly roads, bicycle lanes and trails (where available).  If you select “Bicycling” in the Google Maps menu, this will change the map to illustrate bike-friendly roads, bicycle lanes and trails.

If you are looking to achieve specific fitness goals and/or explore routes frequented by others, there are many online and mobile device applications.  

Whether a day trip or a multi-day adventure, Barrie is uniquely situated to be your hub for cycling tourism.  Beyond the City’s beautiful waterfront, the City is situated on the 160km Simcoe County Loop trail and nearby some of the best cycling opportunities in Ontario. Check out Tourism Barrie’s website for information on local accommodations, restaurants and events. 

If your adventure takes you out of the City, Cycle Simcoe is a great resource with information on routes, where to ride (mountain & fat), accommodations, food and bicycle sales/service/rental listings. 

Bike racks are available on all Barrie Transit buses. They are free, easy to use and have instruction labels to help, but before you use the bike rack please familiarize yourself by visiting Bike & Ride.

The City has bicycle locking posts and racks on Dunlop Street in the downtown and at Meridian Square. The City also has bicycling racks at City Hall (rear), all recreation centres, libraries, transit station and both GO Stations.

The City of Toronto has great information and tips regarding bike theft prevention.

There are numerous local bicycle shops within Barrie that specialize in sales and service. 

Active transportation is an important and legitimate form of transportation that benefits all citizens, regardless if they personally choose to participate in active transportation as it provides the following benefits

• Improves mobility equity – a transportation system that increases access to high quality mobility options and enhances economic opportunity in low-income and marginalized communities.
• Improves mobility options – building cycling infrastructure provides residents an additional transportation option over a personal automobile or a transit trips, but it can also be paired with these modes, such as making a trip via transit and bringing your bicycle via bus bicycle racks.
• Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions – cycling is a carbon-free option to get where you need to without consuming fuel or producing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainability – as more residents choose to make trips using cycling, this lessens the need to widen roads, which is costly to the City, and by extension, individual residents through property taxes.  Defering and/or avoiding road widening projects also reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with undertaking large capital projects.